Three Stars The New York Mets Should Trade For This Offseason

CINCINNATI, OH - APRIL 15: Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates stands at first base with Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 15, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The 2017 regular season is drawing to a close, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned this year, it is that the New York Mets need to bring in new talent in order to contend next season.

The starting rotation puts the Mets in a position to contend but that window will close in the near future. The prospects in the Met organization are good enough to attract interest from other teams and facilitate a trade.

MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 13: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits his 200th career home run during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 13, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

If there’s one thing we learned about Andrew McCutchen in 2017, its that he can overcome adversity. When June rolled around, McCutchen was hitting an ugly .206 and had just five home runs to his name.

Most were prepared to see him shipped at the deadline and felt that he had nothing left in the tank. After receiving little trade interest at the deadline, the Pirates kept the 30-year-old around, and have been rewarded. Through 552 at-bats, McCutchen is hitting .273 with 88 runs, 26 home runs, 80 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.

Through bringing in McCutchen this winter, the Mets can ensure they’ll strong right fielder to start the 2018 season in case outfielder Michael Conforto’s shoulder has not recovered by then.

When Conforto returns to the lineup, the Mets will be able to boast one of MLB’s strongest outfields. Conforto can play right field, Yoenis Cespedes can play left field, and McCutchen can also play center field, a position he has played in the past.

Leadership is something the New York Mets will lack in 2018, especially with all of their departing veterans. The addition of McCutchen would change that, and would also make New York relevant again. We saw him single-handedly lead the Pirates to the 2014 NL Wild Card game, and there’s no reason that he can’t help New York next season.

With just one year remaining on his contract, it makes all but too much sense for the Mets to bring him in if they want to contend next season.

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 25: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds follows through on a seventh inning RBI base hit against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 25, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Votto continued to prove that age is just a number in 2017. At 34-years-old, Votto is hitting .317 with 35 home runs, 96 RBI, and boasts a ridiculous .452 OBP.

BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 06: Catcher Austin Romine #27 of the New York Yankees looks on as Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a walk off two RBI home run to give the Orioles a 7-6 win at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 5, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Like McCutchen, Orioles infielder Manny Machado disproved all critics wrong this summer, and now boasts an unprecedented 33 home runs and 95 RBI, numbers that third basemen rarely put up.

Ever since David Wright’s career fell apart due to injury, the New York Mets have sat back and waited for miracles. Fortunately, they have a chance to finally make a logical move this summer by bringing in Machado to play next to their shortstop of the future, Amed Rosario.

Like McCutchen, Machado is set to hit free agency following the 2018 season. The New York Mets have a plethora of trade pieces, and an opportunity to contend in 2018 while still ensuring themselves a strong future.

Through bringing Machado to Queens, the Mets will have a chance to resign him to a massive extension next summer, and make Wright’s career-altering injuries a thing of the past.